1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Moonshine. The white brandy
smuggled on the coasts of Kent and Sussex, and the gin in the north
of Yorkshire, are also called moonshine.
1819. Scott, Bride of Lammermoor [Saunders Moonshine, a smuggler].
1884. Notes & Queries, 24 May, p. 401. Moonshine signifies smuggled
spirits, which were placed in holes or pits and removed at night.
Ibid. At Piddinghoe they dig for moonshine.